Electron tube socket



Dec. 27, 1949 v THOMSON 2,492,202

ELECTRON TUBE SOCKET Filed Nov 4, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvsmoa V/A/CEN T E 71/0/1450 A T RNEY Dec. 27, 1949 v. E. THOMSON ELECTRON TUBE SOCKET Filed Nov. 4, 1944 2 SheetsSheet 2 mvemon t m/czwr E. T/loMsazv Pateutedneazllm 2.40am ELECTRON TUBE SOCKET Vincent 8. Thomson,

to'l'hesperryc rpo Delaware Garden Olty. N. 1., l-Ignor ration,

a corporation oi Application November 4, 194, Serial No. 581,912 2 Claims. (Cl. 173-828) I This invention relates to an improved socket for an electron tube or the like, and more particularly to a socket especially adapted for relatively large or heavy electron tubes requiring accurate positioning.

In the past, most electron tubes have been provided with a base fitted with pronged terminals socket adapted to receive these terminals has been employed simultaneously to make electrical contact therewith and to of the electron tube increased, ments for accurate positioning oi the tube with respect to the apparatus with which it was to be used became more stringent, such simple mountlng means became inadequate.

It is an object 01 the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved socket for an electron tube or the like in which the means for securing electrical connection with the terminals or the tube are separate from the mean ior physically supper-tine i Another object of the invention it to provide a socket adapted securely to support a tube without introducing any mechanical stress upon the termlnals oi the tube.

A further object is to provide an electron tube socket in which the connector, which is adapted to make electrical connection to the terminals oi the tube, is supported with respect to the independent mounting means for the tube during in sertion and withdrawal or the tube from the with respect to the mounting means when the tube is being supported thereby.

The above and other objects of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. in which like reference numerals designate like components and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view or a socket in accordance with the present invention, together with an electron tube adapted to be inserted therein;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in Section, 01' the socket and of a portion 01 the tube of Fla. 1, the relative positions of which are those assumed when the operation of inserting the tube in the socketisbegun:

Fig. 3isasection takenonthclineHof Hg]:

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section. a portion or the structure shown in Plus. 2 and 3:

so relation to the connector lugs of connector II.

2 socket andoiaportionotthetubeshowninl 'ig. Linwhichthetubeisinitssecondphaseoi'insertloninthesocket:

Fig.8isasectiontakenonthelinel-iof Fig.5:

Pig. ii is a section Fig.7.

Referring to Fig. 1 oi the drawinss. there is shown an electron tube I which, for example, may be of the Klystron type, having a base 2 connectedtothebalanceoithetubebyasealloi glass or the equivalent and bearing the usual pronged terminals 4 and locating pin 5 arranged, tor example, in the standard octel configuration. 'l ube I is also provided with a mounting flange 8 located above the glass seal and carrying a plurality of adjustable mounting studs 1 having grooved ends. The rigid assembly or parts 2. I. l, I. i and I in tube I constitutes a specially formed electrical connector plug insoiar as their and socket arrangement, to be described, is concerned.

Socket l comprises a mounting ring 0 having attached to it a shell I. which in turn serves as a guide for connector ii provided with plural tabs l2. Cable II is a tached to the terminal Shell II is provided with by threaded inserts ll. Socket I is optionally provided with a helical spring 2!, encircling shell I. and suitably enanoaaca 3 at or'nesr the uppermost limit of its travel when unoccupied by the tube. thus eliminoting any necessity for additional positioning as spring ll. when the socket is as shown, connector II will tend to drop slightly, upon removal or the tube, so that tabs II occupy notches 2| (see Fig. 2). without dependence upon the use of spring is or upcnfllestiifnessoi'cable I8.

Fig. 2 shows the electron tube I of Fig. 1 partiallylnsertedinsocketlofl 'ig. l. Prongedterminals l, protruding from the tube base I, have just been iuily engaged by connector Ii. This view shows clearly one of the plural openings II with which shell III is provided. Each of these openings has a notched portion 20 adapted to receive a tab it when connector II is positioned to receive terminals 4 of tube I. This view also shows the use of bolts II to secure the socket assembly to a chassis or base 12.

Fig. 3 shows more clearly the relative positions oi mounting ring and guide ring It, which is rotatably secured within mounting ring 0 by means of rivets I5. slots 13 being provided in ring I! to permit its rotation. Guide ring II is also provided with holes 24, which in the initial position register with holes 25 (Fig. 4) in mounting ring I. and which are adapted to receive the grooved ends of mounting studs I of electron tube I. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4. mounting ring 0 is keyhole slotted, cut and bent to form spring members 20, which are adapted to engage and hold. upon a slight clockwise rotation of tube I. the grooved ends of mounting studs 1.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that tube I, pronged terminals I of which have fully engaged connector II, has been lifted slightly, rotated clockwise, and lowered until the ends of mounting studs 1 have entered holes 24 in guide ring I6 and holes 28 in mounting ring 9. Each of tabs II has left a notched portion 20 of an opening I! to occupy a new position axially and radially displaced from that shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In Figs. 5 and 6, the tube has been fully inserted in the socket, but is not locked in place.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the tube in its locked position with respect to the socket. It will be noted, especially in Fig. 8, that tube I has been further rotated in a clockwise direction, causing guide ring it to turn in a clockwise direction with respect to mounting ring 9 and mounting studs 1 to be securely engaged by members 26 of mounting ring 9. Each of tabs I2. attached to connector II, occupies a position well separated from the edges of an opening I! in shell Ill, and hence connector I I may be said to be floating" with respect to the shell, since it is now supported only by the tube. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, tube I is locked in place and its weight is supported entirely by mounting studs 1 which in turn are engaged by mounting ring s and hence held in fixed position with respect to chassis :2.

Removal of the tube from its socket is a reverse of the above-outlined steps of insertion, and may be better understood by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. After tube I has been rotated sumciently in a counterclockwise direction to release the ends of mounting studs I from spring members 26 of mounting ring I (under which condition it will occupy the position with respect to socket I which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6), the tube is tionalliitingoftube I bringseachoftahs II into a notched portion 2! in shell II. Notches 2| provide adequate support for tabs I! and hence connector II, both against rotation and against axial movement in a vertical direction, thus permitting pronged terminals 4 0! tube I to be withdrawn without diiilculty from connector II. If the socket is vertically mounted and spring I! is omitted, connector II tends to drop down until each of tabs It occupies a notch 1|. so that the socket is ready for the next insertion of the tube.

It will be observed from the above description of one embodiment of the invention that an improved socket is provided which does not require that access be had to both sides of the chassis during insertion or removal of the tube. Bhell II by means of notches and II provides the necessary support and guide for connector II respectively during each of these operations. This is sockets on mounting ring 9.

one of the features at the present invention.

It will also be observed from the above description that the exact position of connector I I, when tube I is in its fully inserted and locked position (as shown in Figs. '1 and 8) is not critical but may vary both axially and in rotation. as well as radially, by appreciable amounts. In practice, this is a highly desirable feature, since it is extremely difficult to base an electron tube, or the like. employing a glass seal with a high degree of precision either as to its axial dimensions or as to the exact rotational orientation of the tube terminals with respect to its mounting flange or internal elements.

While the drawings show and the above description explains the construction of one particular form of socket in accordance with the present invention, it will be understood that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof. For example. mounting studs I of tube I may be made to engage mounting ring 9 otherwise than by rotation. one other method, for instance, being the use of ball-shaped instead of grooved or notched ends of studs I with the provision of suitable receiving Another change which may be made from the socket shown would be the use of a terminal configuration on the tube other than the standard octal base, such a vari ation merely requiring a corresponding change in connector II. Likewise, although the socket is shown in the drawings as mounted with its axis raised until studs 1 entirely clear holes 24 in guide ring Ii. so that it can be rotated still further in a counterclockwise direction until tabs I2 strike walls II of openings II in shell III. Blight addivertically disposed, it will be understood that it may be operated in any other desired position with equally satisfactory results.

It will also be understood that the exact shape and form of openings IS in shell I0, together with those of notches 20 and 20, may be altered within wide limits to facilitate manufacture or for other reasons without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is preferable, however, that the relative dimensions be such that the connector can be reached with the tube prongs even if it should accidentally assume its extreme lowermost position prior to the engagement of the prongs by the connector.

While there has been described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications ma! be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope 7c of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A socket tor a tube having terminals and separate supporting means. comprising a terminal connector for receiving said terminals. a cylindrical sleeve surrounding said connector having a mounting flange thereon [or receiving and securing said supporting means upon rotational engagement therebetween. said sleeve having a plurality oi helical openings therein each terminating in one end in a seat providing notch. said terminal connector having a plurality of tabs radially extending therefrom, one passing through each of said helical openin s. whereby said terminal connector may be positioned by said tabs in said seat to facilitate the engagement of said terminal connector with said terminals. said connector being axially positionable upon rotational engagement of said supporting means with said mounting means by virtue oi the relationshipoisaidtabsandsaidhelicalopeningsin thereby tree said tabs and said connector from engagement with said sleeve.

2. Asoclretioa-atnbehavingterminalsandseparate supporting means, comprising a terminal connector for receiving said terminals, a mounting flange for receiving and securing said supporting means upon rotational engagement therebetween. a cylindrical sleeve extending from said mountlng iisnge and surrounding said connector and having a plurality oi spiral openings therein each terminating at the ilange end of said sleeve in a ,soa

6 seat providing notch. said terminal connector having a plurality of tabs extending radially thercirom through each of said spiral openings of said sleeve and positionable in said seat providing notches. and spring means surrounding said sleeve for coercing said tabs to said seated position and toward said flange, whereby said terminal connector may be positioned in said seat to facilitate engagement oi said terminal connector with said terminals and upon rotational engagement c! said supporting means and said mounting means, the eilect oi said spring being overcome and said connector being axially positionable by interaction of said tabs on said spiral openings.

VINCENT I. THOMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iiie of this patent:

UNI'I'ED STATES PATENTS Number blame Date 1,690,232 Kuhn Nov. d. was 1,788,945 Deane Jan. 13, 1931 2,151,089 Douglas Her. :1, 1m 2,392,164 Linsday Jan. 1, 1m

' FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 368,193 Germany Nov. I, ma 

